Hong Kong saw a surge in drug abuse among young people last year, the Legislative Council’s Panel on Security heard on Tuesday.
According to a report submitted to the LegCo by Commissioner for Narcotics Zorina Wan Hiu-yan, the total number of arrested drug users reached 4,108 in 2025, representing a 27 percent year-on-year increase. Alarmingly, the number of arrested drug users aged under 21 rose by 90 percent, jumping from 301 to 573.
The average age of first drug use was 19 years old in 2025, according to the report.
The abuse of etomidate, which is sometimes called “space oil”, saw explosive growth last year, with arrests related to it rising by 313 percent, up from 293 in 2024 to 1,209. It is now the most commonly used drug among people under 21, followed by cannabis and cocaine.
To counter the threat of narcotics, particularly among young people, the government submitted a legislative proposal during the meeting to amend the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance. The amendment aims to bring three new substances, including two synthetic opioids and one synthetic cannabinoid, under ordinance control.
The government has also pledged to step up community and school-level education through events such as seminars and interactive activities to better inform young people about the dangers of narcotics.
Roys Zhang contributed to the story.
